South Sudan Launches National Development Strategy To Spark Economic Development

South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Planning on Tuesday launched a three years National Development Strategy to consolidate peace and spark economic development.

29 November 2018

By Ojwe Lumara

JUBA, 28 November 2018 [Gurtong]-The National Development Strategy which was prepared by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit will see investment in key infrastructure projects, which for the past five years have not received enough government funds due to the civil war.

The objectives of the NDS is to consolidate peace and stabilize the economy through ensuring that people feel free to go anywhere in the country, and they should be able to enjoy stable market prices.

In a speech delivered by the Vice President, Dr James Wani Igga, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit said that the National Development Strategy (NDS) will merge economic and political stability in the country.

President Kiir said that the NDS will steer the country’s investment in national precedence reliable with the peace agreement.

Chapter 4.3.1.1. of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provided that, within nine months of the signing of the Agreement, the Strategic Economic Development Roadmap (National Development Plan) should be reviewed and implemented to accelerate progress in achieving a sustainable and resilient national economy in collaboration and coordination with an inter-ministerial departments and, where appropriate, with development partners.

“The National Development Strategy will be as an instrument through which we will implement the provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement probably it will guide our investment in national priorities consistent with the peace agreement,” Kiir said.

President Kiir said it is now the commitment of the people to use the NDS to guide the National Budget process and make it transparent and accountable for the benefit of the nation.

The National Minister of Finance and Planning Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said the three year strategy is the first since 2013 when civil war started in the country.

“The National Development Strategy is very important instrument to operationalize and implement the peace agreement. That is to make sure that you cannot just sign peace and stop there you have to introduce development strategy,” Garang said.